Greetings Eco Traveler!

I’m glad you found your way to Woods & Water Ecotours!

I welcome you to join us in experiencing the quiet beauty of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. This place is rich with ecological biodiversity and friendly people who appreciate the wildness and unique heritage of this region.

Over 15 years of professional conservation work with organizations like Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Michigan Department of Natural Resourcesand The Nature Conservancy, my network of conservationists and science expertise has grown. On many of our extended trips you will have an opportunity to meet some of these biologists and wildlife experts and experience the places they love to work. Each trip also features a unique cultural and human heritage component where you may get to see traditional craftsmen blow glass and fire earthen pottery…or, sample award-winning maple syrup right at the sugar bush where it is made!

Overall health and well-being for guests and the environment is an important balance to strike with nature-based tourism. One way to achieve this balance is to rely on human energy to get us from place to place. Our primary modes of travel are alternative travel modes like hiking, biking or kayaking. We also apply reduce, reuse, recycle ethics and “leave no trace” techniques to our business practices.

To support and sustain the conservation areas we visit, a percentage from each package or day trip cost will be donated to sustainable community development projects or conservation organizations.

Your participation in a Woods & Water Ecotour will not only give you wonderful new stories to take home, but also an understanding of how your dollars will be helping to sustain natural areas and the people who steward them. I’m thrilled to offer you authentic, unique educational programs and experiences.

I look forward to journeying with you!

Yours in nature,

Jessie A. Hadley
Owner/Operator

Tim Gallaway, is a native of Lewiston, Michigan and is currently a student at Lake Superior State University with a major in mechanical engineering.  He is an avid skier, sailor, hiker, biker, and most of all a kayaker with a love of rough water and surf kayaking.  Whether drifting across the water in his kayak rain or shine, he has an unshakable positive attitude and drive to have fun and learn new things.  This has led him to be able to perform an impressive number of Greenland style kayak rolls (25 Competition rolls by last count) and take on long solo trips.  Don't let the photo lead you to think it is cold in the Les Cheneaux Islands.  The photo was taken somewhere between Grand Marais and Whitefish Point on a solo expedition in May of 2010.  Tim is also a Level 4 open water ACA Certified Instructor.

Jay Hills resides in the Les Cheneaux Islands. He is married to his beautiful wife Kathryn and proud parents of two handsome young boys.Jay is studying Integrated Sciences in order to share his passion for nature with high school students as a science teacher. His love of the wild and the challenges nature presents are what fuels his need and respect for outdoor recreation, physical fitness and calmness of mind. His continuing pursuit of knowledge and adventure are fulfilled when he’s paddling, biking, hiking, fishing or bow hunting in the great UP!  Join Jay on one of his specialty tours, fishing from a kayak.

Susan Belanger aka “Beli”, has also guided trips on Lake Huron, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. She has teaching degree from Northern Michigan University, majoring in physical education and biology, she taught 5th-graders at a Houston Outdoor Education Center for nearly 10 years. She made a move back to her home-town of Marquette and served as an adult trainer for the Peninsula Waters Girl Scout Council, specializing in wilderness and leadership trainings. Sue has led many backpacking trips with the Girl Scouts since 1982 to places such as the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. Sea kayaking is a big passion, and Sue has ACA Kayak Instructor Certification.  Sue teaches kayaking to both youth and adults at the Marquette County YMCA, where she's also one of their Certified Massage Therapists.  Sue is the one in standing in the water, with Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Jake Yard is an Illinois native with a quirky and upbeat disposition. He will be a spring graduate at Western Illinois University, and is happy to have found an internship at Woods and Water Ecotours this summer.  When Jake is not busy with school he can be found outdoor hiking or on the water.  He is a huge animal enthusiast and sustainability advocate that loves to share his information with others.  He is looking to broaden his skill set this summer as well as fine tuning up the talents he already possesses.

Pamela Poley, ACSW has been a psychotherapist working with individuals and couples for over twenty years, the last fourteen in her own private practice.  She leads psychospiritual growth groups, women's self-exploration weekends, and a group called 'Reflections of Our Nature', exploring oneself through interacting with nature. In addition she co-leads women's experiential weekends with the Kalamazoo Nature Center. She is an adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University, having taught in the Graduate Social Work Department and Holistic Health Program.  She has been the last one out of the water since age 8.  

Melissa Middleton

Melissa grew up in northern Michigan with parents who are farmers, naturalists, and educators.  Steeped in an appreciation for the natural world, she created a 13 year career as an environmental educator, aquatic ecologist, and regulatory analyst.  She is now owner and practitioner of “Awakenings, Energetic Touch for Health and Spiritual Transformation” located in Marquette, Michigan.  She was called to this new career by her own spiritual and energetic awakening during the healing of a protracted and disabling illness.  Today, she assists others in resonating with their inner wholeness and health, advancing their own healing journey and spiritual transformation. 

Mya-  Jan 30, 2005-Feb 23, 2010
Mya (aka Ninja) was an unknown mix brought home from the shelter. Mya was the company's number one greeter, tracker, swimmer, retriever, puller, hunter, kisser, leaper, and by far had the highest density of fur per square inch. Her athleticism and agility surpassed everybody at the shop.   She rarely passed up a belly rub. Mya will be sorely missed by all that knew her. She was a community dog and was constantly making new friends in Hessel wherever she would go. Go down to Hessel Grocery and experience the Hessel Hot dog named after her.

The Trooper- is the real work horse of the Woods and Water team. She safely transports kayaks and guides to and from their destination day in and day out. With her “can do”attitude, stunning physique, and beautiful curves, she quickly makes friends with everyone that gets to know her.  Every spring she starts up with no trouble.